Programming Error Denies Gods Their Valhalla

By

Pia Catton

Updated Sept. 29, 2010 12:01 a.m. ET

While the set of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "Das Rheingold" was one of the main attractions at Monday night's premiere, a programming error robbed the final scene of its dramatic power.

Instead of the gods (or rather their stunt doubles) walking across a rainbow bridge to Valhalla, they could only watch as digital rainbows were projected on the set.

ENLARGE

The images above and below are a sequence showing how the rainbow bridge was supposed to open during the Metropolitan Opera's new production of 'Das Rheingold.'
Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

The potential for error was huge in this production directed by Robert Lepage that launched the new Ring cycle: The central unit of the set featured 24 aluminum planks, each 30 feet long, which were moved into 17 positions to evoke different scenes. Nine projectors cast images on the planks—and dozens of computers controlled it all.

In its debut, the production was fluid but not flawless. The most significant glitch came when the programming error prevented the completion of the final scene, in which the gods were to walk across a rainbow bridge to their castle and sanctuary, Valhalla. But no bridge emerged.

As the set began to move into its final positions, a Met spokesman said, "safety sensors indicated that there wasn't enough clearance between the lower edge of the planks and the stage, activating an automatic shutdown mechanism."

ENLARGE

Instead of the gods walking across a rainbow bridge to Valhalla, above, they could only watch as digital rainbows were projected on the set.
Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

What was supposed to happen was that the nine planks on the sides of the set were to be raised to the full vertical position, suggesting the outer walls of Valahalla. The six middle planks were to have formed the bridge.

The Met expects the error to be corrected for Thursday's performance, meaning the immortals would not be left again to simply gaze upon a rainbow until the lights go out.

Wagner fans are known to be close watchers of all the details, but on Tuesday morning, the president of the Wagner Society of New York, Nathalie Wagner (no relation), betrayed little outrage.

"It was a technical problem. It was disappointing to have the singers not doing something more. I'm sure it will be fixed by the next performance," she said, adding that she will be attending on Thursday.

"It was quite a traditional production, which is what Lepage said he wanted to do," said Ms. Wagner, who feared "directorial ideas imposed on the story. You don't need that in this story."

ENLARGE

The opera expects the error to be resolved for Thursday's performance.
Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

A more minor, yet still noticeable, production flaw was an intermittent clanking—akin to the sound of a metal against a sailboat mast—as the set shifted positions.

A Met spokesman said efforts have been made to minimize the noise, adding that the sound is inevitable for a large piece of scenery that cannot be installed permanently.

"It's like building a theme park ride or a Cirque du Soleil show, then taking it down every night," said Josh Weisberg, president of Scharff Weisberg, a New York-based entertainment technology company that consulted on "Das Rheingold" and "Faust," which Mr. Lepage also directed.

More on 'Das Rheingold'

The production was certainly the most ambitious—in terms of design—that the Met has mounted in many years. It is estimated to have cost $16 million. The four-opera cycle was underwritten by Ann Ziff and the Ziff family, which also gave additional $30 million gift to the company in March.

Mr. Lepage was traveling on Tuesday and was not available for comment.

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